Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit 1 PIAT Putting It All Together: The Riverwood Fish Kill—Finding the Solution The goal for this project is to determine the cause of the Riverwood fish kill. It is a group project. Groups will consist of two to three persons, and will be assigned by your teacher. They will be organized around the possible causes of the fish kill. The purpose of this activity is to determine the following key issues: 1. Who is responsible for the fish kill? 2. What should be done to remedy the situation? 3. Who should have to pay for the costs associated with the fish kill? 4. Can this situation be avoided in the future? Four class days will be utilized for this project. All will be in the library. You will then have one additional week to finish the project. Because this project will require outside class time, it is recommended that you decide early in the process which partner is responsible for each section described below. Any partner that does not complete his/her section will not receive credit for the other partner's work. The requirements for this project are listed below. The rubrics that will be used to grade this project are attached. Also attached are frames to guide your analysis of the graphs, and a historical perspective of the data involved as well as a brief description of each of the concerned groups. The project is worth approximately 100 points. 81904316 -1- REQUIREMENTS There are four main pieces to the final project: (1) Graphs Each group will construct four graphs using the Excel program. The graphs are group specific, and for the most part, not repeated among the groups. Each group has two particular factors it must graph. Both factors will be graphed over a seven day cycle and a twoyear cycle for a total of four graphs. Your teacher will tell you which two factors your group is graphing. (2) Graph Examination Worksheet This is a set of questions regarding each factor that you examined. It will look at the factors over a seven day period and a two year period. Research will be necessary to support your understanding of the data and its affect on the Snake River Fish Kill. (3) Oral Presentation Worksheet In order to prepare for the presentations, each group will complete the oral presentation worksheet in the packet. In essence, it requires the student to consider plan a presentation based upon the graph examination worksheet. Further research may be helpful to prepare this worksheet. (4) Oral Presentation This is where you will present your material to the class in order for us to determine the cause (and method of remediation) of the fish kill. Remember, you are probably the only group presenting information about that factor, so the class is depending on you to be thorough and accurate! 81904316 -2- DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM An Introduction to the Snake River Community The History of the Data Since the early 1900s various groups have measured the Snake River watershed in a number of different ways. As a result, although some of the measurements and methods have changed, there is an excellent record of data for the past few years. Joseph Fisker of the County Sanitation Commission has measured the river's pH, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature. For the past few years he has also measured water entering the utility water system daily. Using a portable meter Fisker measures the pH--the acidity or basicity of the water. Using a special probe and working under the bridge near Riverwood Hospital, he samples dissolved oxygen at a depth of one-half meter. Twice a month he verifies the readings with a chemical test. Knowing the water temperature allows Fisker to calculate the saturation of oxygen in the water. Every day the power company monitors water flow on the Snake River. The data is reported monthly in cubic feet per second. In the same fashion, the company also measures and reports the amount of rainfall in inches. The data is collaborated with measurements taken by the National Stream Water-Quality Monitoring Networks, part of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Aurgent Mining Company, which once operated several zinc and silver mines in the area, still measures several metal ions in the river. Greta Black, Aurgent's supervisor of environmental programs, has provided data for the past two years. She also took daily measurements for the week following the discovery of the fish kill. Finally, each week an environmental consulting firm, under contract to the Snake River Agricultural Cooperative measure the organic carbon, nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, and other dissolved molecular substances in the river. Don Walker, vice-president of the cooperative, has provided data on these measurements for the past two years. The amount of organic carbon indicates organic matter that has a biological origin, such as dead plant matter or animal wastes. Nitrates and phosphates generally get into the water from fertilizers, animal wastes, or treated wastewater from cities. Measuring pesticides and other dissolved molecular substances is more difficult; detecting these substances involves specialized tests. This data is based on an actual fish kill. The data should point clearly to the cause. 81904316 -3- THE CONNECTING IDEAS One more thing… while there are multiple factors that will be graphed and analyzed, when it comes to the final solution, there are four basic possible causes of the fish kill. Each will be indicated by the combination of several of the factors that are graphed. 1. Low Oxygen Level Heavy rainfall or large release from dam High water temperatures Low dissolved oxygen levels High nitrate and phosphate levels High organic carbon 2. Molecular Substances Heavy rainfall Detectable levels of pesticide in water or fish Evidence of pesticide spill 3. Gas bubble trauma Large release from dam High, supersaturated dissolved oxygen levels Lower water temperatures 4. Heavy metal poisoning Heavy rainfall or large release from dam High levels of mercury or heavy metals in water Water having a low pH 81904316 -4- DESCRIPTION OF GROUPS INVOLVED (Who could possibly be to blame?) Power Company Officials (PCBs, Organic Carbon) The power plant includes a dam and reservoir that ensure an adequate supply of cooling water. The dam, constructed in the 1930s, had the most current design of that time. Since then, its basic structure has not been modified. The company monitors water flow and rain fall regularly. Your company's engineers control the rate of water release from the dam into the Snake River. A meteorologist on staff helps with weather predictions. Normally, only relatively small volumes of water are released at any particular time. However, releasing large quantities of water from the dam is a standard way of preventing flooding. The last time such a large volume of water was released from the dam was 30 years ago. A fish kill was reported then, but the cause remained unknown. On that occasion, Riverwood and surrounding area had experienced an unusually wet summer. The top company officials did approve the water release form the dam, a standard practice given the time of year and the weather forecast. Agricultural Cooperative Representatives Pesticides could be responsible for the Snake River fish kill. Cooperative members in the Snake River include farmers and ranchers managing a variety of crops and livestock. Your cooperative assumes a proactive role in informing its members of current best practices and regulations regarding the use of agrochemicals and the management of wastes and runoff from fields and pastures. All members of your cooperative are licensed to use agrochemicals and trained in the appropriate means of applying them. There has not been a fish kill in recent years, even though over that period of time the Coop members have used the same pesticides and other chemicals. Many of the agricultural leaders are environmentalists by nature. They know that the best way to ensure prospering farmland is to care for all land properly. Heavy rains present a problem for farmers. Although the rain is good for crops, it can wash away recently applied fertilizers and pesticides. This is not only expensive, but it can cause problems if these substances wash into the watershed. 81904316 -5- Mining Company Representatives Riverwood began as a mining town on the Snake River, which provided early residents with a source of water. Your company intensely mined the hills surrounding Riverwood in the 1930s and 1940s. The important metals that came from this area included zinc and silver. The by-products of mining and processing the metal ores were collected in storage ponds built in accordance with the specifications and regulations of that time. In seasons with average rainfall, the runoff from the waste ponds contains heavy-metal ions at levels within the values specified by your company's EPA permit. Your company monitors effluent values and keeps the ponds secured. Your company's structural engineers are responsible for upkeep of storage ponds at abandoned mine sites. However, during heavy rainfall, some underground settling in the mines and avalanches in hilly areas of the Snake River have been noted. At this time, there is no evidence of any toxic organic substances (such as PCBs or pesticides) in any of your holding ponds or drainage areas. A recent inventory of substances in the soil and holding ponds amply documented this fact. You know, however, that even though there is no direct evidence linking your company to the fish kill, it is always difficult for you to convince the public that your company is not the source of the harm. You are considering a new advertising campaign to help convince people that mining is beneficial to them personally. Scientists You are responsible for explaining how the analyzed data supports the proposed cause of the fish kill. You should be prepared to explain what the data mean and why data fluctuations are noted from month to month or year to year. You may be called on to explain concepts such as pH, solubility of molecular and ionic substances, units of concentration, water-purification techniques, the hydrologic cycle, and other waterrelated concepts. It is important that you help council members and other attendees understand how the analyzed data document the cause of the fish kill. 81904316 -6- Consulting Engineers Contaminated runoff from agricultural land is an ongoing concern for Riverwood. Your consulting firm was hired to do a detailed examination of the cause of the fish kill. Your task was to determine whether accident, human error, negligence, or an unforeseen circumstance was responsible for the Riverwood crisis. In addition, you were responsible for a decision to make a scheduled heavy release of water from the dam just before the fish kill occurred. This was a routine release, done to make room in the reservoir for the impending rains. Finally, you were asked to prepare scenarios or suggest improvements that would prevent recurring fish kills. County Sanitation Commission You are responsible for the protection and safety of the Snake River water supply. You are the group that completes most of the routine water testing for the supply of drinking water in Riverwood. It is important to know what the standards that specify the quality of drinking water mean and to explain how the water testing is done. You know that it is very possible that a homeowner could dispose of a toxic, possibly banned substance in a storm drain or sewer system. For the past few years, you have dealt with several instances of improper disposal of household chemicals. To combat this, you have sponsored a marketing campaign that urges people to dispose of household and garden chemicals properly. You recently began a summer program so that homeowners can bring unwanted household and garden chemicals to a special recycling center. Nonetheless, you know that heavy rain could wash the pesticide through the sewage system and into the river. 81904316 -7- HINTS FOR FACTORS RESEARCH IDEAS Snake River Flow Why might dam water be released? Why might this be a problem? Try a “google” search for “pollution and dam releases”. Pesticides What other What Try: methods do you use to restrict the release of pesticides and chemicals into the natural water supply? improvements could be made to prevent recurring fish kills? Cooperative Farms, Licensing, and Training; Cooperative Farm Strategies; or Prosperous Cooperative Farms. Consider household versus agricultural application of pesticides. Look for how the pesticides are applied and what impact this might have on the environment. Look for safety regulations regarding the two groups. Other Contaminants What is your chief concern? Why are heavy rain periods a particular problem? What are examples of non-point source contamination in “real” communities? What are solutions to non-point source contamination in “real” situations? You should be able to report maximum contamination levels (MCLs) for hazardous water contaminants. You should also know the allowable limits or expected ranges for other analyzed water data. Try: Yahoo or another search engine and search for articles on nonpoint source contamination; the EPA website; and the Chesapeake Bay Alliance website. Dissolved Oxygen What have you found out about the biological oxygen demand / dissolved oxygen levels? What affect does this have on fish? Could this be a contributing factor to the fish kill? What could be the cause of problems in dissolved oxygen levels? 81904316 -8- CHECKLIST BOX TOPIC PAGE in PACKET RUBRIC PAGE DATE DUE 1–7 X Pre-Library (check when done) Read About Project 7 Day Graph Factor One Two Year Graph Factor One 7 Day Graph FactorTwo Two Year Graph FactorTwo Graph Analysis Factor One Graph Analysis Factor Two Oral Presentation Worksheet Beginning of Library Day Two Beginning of Library Day Two Beginning of Library Day Two Beginning of Library Day Two Beginning of Library Day Three Beginning of Library Day Three End of Library Day Four Presentation One Week After Last Library Day Partner Rubric Day of Presentations Final Worksheet Day After PIAT presentations DONE INDIVIDUALLY! 81904316 -9- THE DATA (7 day table one) 81904316 - 10 - (7 day, table two) (September 1 – 7) 81904316 - 11 - two years, table one 81904316 - 12 - two years, table two 81904316 - 13 - GRAPHING INSTRUCTIONS Your group needs to construct a total of four graphs. The four graphs (two over one week, and two over a two-year period) depend upon the group to which you are assigned. Your teacher will tell you which two factors you will graph. Use the instructions provided for graphing on Excel to help you complete these graphs. To be useful for your presentation, you will need to either: (a) print out your graphs large enough for everyone to see, (b) print out a copy for every few people so that everyone can see, or (c) have it accessible to be pulled up on the screen for everyone to see. After completing your graphs, you will need to analyze them using the worksheet provided. 81904316 - 14 - USING EXCEL 2010 1. Complete a data table in your EXCEL program. a. Insert headings as follows: A1 = Day B1 = Water Flow (with unit) C1 = Month D1 = Water Flow (with unit) b. Stretch columns using the | arrow on top of each box. c. Input data in boxes A2 – A8, etc. as needed. 2. Graphing Day vs. Water Flow a. Highlight Day and Water Flow data (not titles). b. Click the INSERT tab. c. Click on SCATTER. Choose top right-hand … with line attached. d. Click on MOVE CHART (far right on tool bar). Save as New Sheet. Can name chart here. e. Click on LAYOUT tab (highlighted under chart tools). Fix chart title. Choose ABOVE chart. Enter title – be descriptive. Hit enter. Include name here (John H. Smith). Repeat for horizontal axis and vertical axis labels. (Include units where appropriate). f. Click on LEGEND tab. Hide the legend by choosing NONE. g. Check Work and Print. 3. Repeat for your other factor. (total = 4 graphs) Day vs Factor One Month vs Factor One 81904316 Day vs. Factor Two Month vs Factor Two - 15 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit 1 PIAT Graphs Examination Worksheet (one sheet completed for each factor) (a works cited is required) As you answer questions three through five on this worksheet, you will need to conduct research to support your ideas. Be sure to cite the source that you are using in each instance. To receive full credit for this part of the assignment, you will be expected to support any ideas with at least five researched facts. You may need more space! 1. Factor Being Examined: ____________________ 2. Explain any patterns or irregularities that are apparent in the graphs. Does something go way up, way down, etc.? 7 Day Graph 30 Month Graph 3. What could cause an irregularity to occur? In other words, how does __ get into water? What might have changed to cause this change? 81904316 - 16 - 4. How might fish be adversely affected by an irregularity in this factor? In other words, what does __ do to fish health? 5. Do you think the data analyzed in these graphs might help to account for the Snake River fish kill? Why or why not? 81904316 - 17 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit 1 PIAT Oral Presentation Worksheet (one sheet completed for each factor) What was the factor you graphed? What could cause this factor to affect water quality? (Who would be to blame?) How could this be avoided? 81904316 - 18 - What effects would this factor have on fish / marine health? Was there any indication that this factor was involved in the fish kill? If so… who is to blame? How can they fix the problem so this doesn’t happen again? 81904316 - 19 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit 1 PIAT Final Worksheet 1. Circle the factors that might have contributed to the fish kill. Water Flow Cadmium Orthophosphates Water Temperature Mercury Pesticides Dissolved Oxygen Arsenic pH Rain Fall Nitrates PCBs Organic Carbon Lead 2. Explain your rationale for each of the factors that you circled. 81904316 - 20 - 3. Recall how the different factors can work together to create a problem. Then, determine what you think is the actual cause of the fish kill. Low Oxygen Level Heavy rainfall or large release from dam High water temperatures Low dissolved oxygen levels High nitrate and phosphate levels High organic carbon Molecular Substances Heavy rainfall Detectable levels of pesticide in water or fish Evidence of pesticide spill Gas bubble trauma Large release from dam High, supersaturated dissolved oxygen levels Lower water temperatures Heavy metal poisoning Heavy rainfall or large release from dam High levels of mercury or heavy metals in water Water having a low pH 81904316 - 21 - 4. Who is responsible for the fish kill? 5. How can the fish kill be avoided in the future? 81904316 - 22 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit One Water PIAT Graphs Rubric Completeness Titles Y Axis X Axis Excel Directions Overall Quality 81904316 4 All four graphs are complete. All four graphs have appropriate titles. All four graphs have a correctly labeled and constructed y axis. All four graphs have a correctly labeled and constructed x axis. All excel directions (i.e. color, etc.) have been correctly followed. Overall, I would give these graphs an “A” grade. 3 X X X X 2 At least two graphs are complete. At least two graphs have appropriate titles. At least two graphs have a correctly labeled and constructed y axis. At least two graphs have a correctly labeled and constructed x axis. 1 X X X X 0 Less than two graphs are complete. Less than two graphs have appropriate titles. Less than two graphs have a correctly labeled and constructed y axis. Less than two graphs have a correctly labeled and constructed x axis. Most excel directions have been correctly followed. Some excel directions have been correctly followed. Few excel directions have been correctly followed. Excel directions were not correctly followed. Overall, I would give these graphs a “B” grade. Overall, I would give these graphs a “C” grade. Overall, I would give these graphs a “D” grade. Overall, I would give these graphs an “F” grade. - 23 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit One Water PIAT Graphs Examination Worksheet Rubric 4 Completeness Patterns Identified Irregularity Examined Effect on Fish Is this a factor in the fish kill? Resources Used Works Cited 81904316 Both factors are completely addressed. Any strange patterns or irregularities are thoroughly described The possible causes of an irregularity is thoroughly addressed. The possible effects on fish are thoroughly addressed. The connection between this factor and the fish kill is correctly determined. Uses at least five statements (cited) to support ideas. Correctly Cites the sources used. 3 One factor is completely addressed, the second is somewhat addressed. Any strange patterns or irregularities are somewhat described The possible causes of an irregularity is somewhat addressed. The possible effects on fish are somewhat addressed. 2 Both factors are somewhat addressed. Any strange patterns or irregularities are minimally described X X 1 The analysis is clearly lacking for both factors. X The possible causes of an irregularity is barely addressed. The possible effects on fish are barely addressed. X X X Uses at least four statements (cited)to support ideas. Uses at least three statements (cited) to support ideas. Uses at least two statements (cited) to support ideas. Citations present, but incorrectly formatted. X X 0 One or more factors is not addressed at all. Any strange patterns or irregularities are not addressed. The possible causes of an irregularity is not addressed. The possible effects on fish are not addressed. The connection between this factor and the fish kill is incorrectly determined. Uses less than two statements (cited) to support ideas. Does not contain a works cited. - 24 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit One Water PIAT Oral Presentation Worksheet Rubric Factors 4 Both factors studied are identified. 3 X The possible causes of an irregularity are thoroughly explained. The possible causes of an irregularity are somewhat explained. What effects would irregularities in __ have on fish? The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are thoroughly explained. The possible effects on fish are thoroughly explained. The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are somewhat explained. The possible effects on fish are somewhat explained. Did this factor have a bearing on the Snake River Fishkill? The connection to Snake River is thoroughly made. The connection to snake river is somewhat made. How does __ get into the water? How can we avoid __ getting into the water? 81904316 2 One Factor studied is identified. X X X X 1 X The possible causes of an irregularity are barely explained. The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are barely explained. The possible effects on fish are barely explained. The connection to Snake River is barely made. 0 Neither factor studied is identified. The possible causes of an irregularity are not explained. The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are not explained. The possible effects on fish are not explained. The connection to Snake River is missing. - 25 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit One Water PIAT 4 Introduction Thoroughly captures the interest of the audience. Oral Presentation Rubric 3 2 Somewhat captures the interest of the audience. Barely captures the interest of the audience. One Factor studied is identified. Both factors studied are identified. X How does __ get into the water? The possible causes of an irregularity are thoroughly explained. The possible causes of an irregularity are somewhat explained. How can we avoid getting __ into the water? What effects could __ have on fish? Did this factor cause the Snake River Fishkill? The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are thoroughly explained. The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are somewhat explained. The possible effects on fish are thoroughly explained. The possible effects on fish are somewhat explained. The connection to Snake River is thoroughly made. The connection to snake river is somewhat made. X Sophisticated Arrangement of Content Visual aids greatly supported the group’s arguments. Functional Arrangement of Content Visual aids support the group’s arguments. Confused Arrangement of Content Visual aids barely support the group’s arguments. Presentation The students truly took on the persona of their group. The students took on the persona of their group. The students barely took on the persona of their group. Language Word choices are descriptive, vivid and grammatically correct. Word choices grammatically correct and somewhat vivid. Gestures, posture, eye contact, etc. somewhat enhance the presentation. Members usually speak clearly and audibly. All members present some information. Word choices are rote and have some grammatical errors. Factors Organization Visual Aids Body Language Gestures, posture, eye contact, etc. greatly enhance the presentation. Audibility Involvement 81904316 Members always speak clearly and audibly. All members are equally involved. X X X Gestures, posture, eye contact, etc. do not enhance the presentation. Members sometimes speak clearly and audibly. All members are involved. 1 Does not capture the audience’ interest. X The possible causes of an irregularity are barely explained. The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are barely explained. 0 Has no introduction. Neither factor studied is identified. The possible causes of an irregularity are not explained. The possible ways to avoid an irregularity are not explained. The possible effects on fish are barely explained. The possible effects on fish are not explained. The connection to Snake River is barely made. The connection to Snake River is missing. X Content is not organized. Visual aids do not support the group’s arguments. X No visual aid was used. The students didn’t take on the persona of their group. Word choices are poor and have many grammatical errors. X Gestures, posture, eye contact, etc. detract from the presentation. Members do not speak clearly and audibly. Not all members are involved. X - 26 - Arnoldi / Lazaar Chem Com Unit One PIAT Rubric for Partner Evaluation Partner Work Ethic Partner/Project Enjoyment Partner Choice in Future Projects Fairness of Work Distribution Overall Partner Evaluation 81904316 4 My partner contributed as much as I did to this project. I really enjoyed working with my partner on this project. I would definitely work with this person on another project. I believe that my partner shared responsibilities for this project fairly. Overall, I would give my partner an "A" grade for this project. 3 My partner contributed almost as much as I did to this project. I somewhat enjoyed working with my partner on this project. I would probably work with this person on another project. 2 My partner contributed much less than I did to this project. I did not enjoy working with my partner on this project. I would probably not work with this person on another project. I believe that my partner tried to fairly share responsibilities. I believe that my partner barely tried to fairly share responsibilities. Overall, I would give my partner an "B" grade for this project. Overall, I would give my partner an "C" grade for this project. 1 My partner did not contribute at all to this project. I really did not enjoy working with my partner on this project. I would definitely not work with this person on another project. I believe that my partner did not try to fairly share responsibilities. Overall, I would give my partner an "D" or "F" grade for this project. - 27 - Final Gradesheet / Checklist Category Due Date Points Factor One Graphs Completed Factor Two Graph Completed Day Two Day Two _____ / 2 _____ / 2 Factor One Graph Analysis Completed Factor Two Graph Analysis Completed Day Three Day Three _____ / 4 _____ / 4 Oral Presentation Worksheet Completed Day Four _____ / 4 Pre-Work Total Score Project = _____ (16) Graphs (raw) Day Two _____ / 24 Graphs Analysis Worksheets (raw) Day Three _____ / 28 Oral Presentation Worksheet(raw) Day Four _____ / 20 Presentation Last Day _____ / 52 Total RAW Score = _____ (124) Total Project Score (converted) = _____ (100) Post-Work Final Worksheet Two Days after Presentations _____ / 10 Partner Score (rubric / 2) Two Days after Presentations _____ / 9 Total Score = _____ (19) FINAL SCORE = _____ / 135 81904316 - 28 -
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